More Communities Now Eligible to Pursue Microgrids as a Part of PG&E’s Efforts to Build a Stronger, More Resilient Electric Grid
November 29 2021 - 12:24PM
Business Wire
California Public Utilities Commission Approves
PG&E’s Proposal to Expand Eligibility Requirements for
Community-Proposed Microgrids
Oakland EcoBlock Project an Example of How
PG&E Can Collaborate on Community Resilience
As part of its mission to build a stronger, more resilient
energy grid for the hometowns it serves, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E) is paving the way for more community-proposed
microgrid projects to be constructed in its Northern and Central
California service area.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently
approved PG&E’s request to update its Community Microgrid
Enablement Tariff (CMET), broadly expanding the eligibility
requirements of where microgrids connected to PG&E’s electric
distribution infrastructure can be built.
Prior to this update in October 2021, community microgrids—or
self-sufficient energy systems serving a specific community or
geographical area—were authorized only in CPUC-designated High Fire
Threat Districts as a mitigation measure against extreme weather
and Public Safety Power Shutoff events. Under the new rules,
communities anywhere in PG&E’s service area are now able to
pursue a microgrid as part of their unique energy resilience
plans.
“Microgrids are a critical part of the sustainability and
climate-resilience goals of many of our customers and hometowns. By
expanding the rules around where these microgrids can be built,
we’re able to remove barriers that would have prevented projects
from moving forward, and instead work collaboratively to make these
projects a reality,” said Quinn Nakayama, PG&E’s director of
grid planning and innovation.
The expanded eligibility builds upon PG&E’s Community
Microgrid Enablement Program, launched in April 2021 to support the
development of microgrids centered around critical facilities in
high-fire threat areas.
To date, PG&E has engaged with more than three dozen
communities and customers to explore potential financial and
infrastructure support options for developing microgrids and
resilience solutions through the CMEP.
“We strongly support PG&E’s leadership around microgrids and
the innovative ways they are meeting the needs of customers. More
microgrids, whether they’re in Silicon Valley or the Central
Valley, mean a more sustainable and resilient energy future for
all. It is our hope that other utilities will follow PG&E’s
lead and seek to partner with customers and communities to build
the consumer-driven resilient grid of the future,” said Alexa
Arena, senior director of large-scale developments at Google and a
2021 Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence.
Case Study: Oakland EcoBlock
As an example, PG&E is working with the University of
California, Berkeley on Oakland EcoBlock, a first-of-its-kind
neighborhood retrofit to demonstrate a net-zero energy, block-level
microgrid in Oakland’s Fruitvale district.
EcoBlock includes updating participating homes with advanced
energy efficiency measures, deploying a solar-powered microgrid and
associated components, shared electric vehicles, and a new approach
for coordinating these resources among neighbors.
“If community microgrids are to play a crucial role in advancing
California’s policy goals, it is imperative that practical
experience with diverse design and operating approaches be gained
as quickly as possible. PG&E’s recent eligibility expansion
will mean more microgrid adoption and fresh perspectives on what
works best for California’s communities,” said Dr. Alexandra
“Sascha” von Meier, director of electric grid research, California
Institute for Energy and Environment; adjunct professor of
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at UC Berkeley; and
faculty scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Read more about PG&E’s efforts with Oakland EcoBlock in this
Q&A: Power Distribution for the Oakland EcoBlock: A
Conversation with Sascha von Meier.
Learn More About PG&E’s Microgrid Solutions
For more information about PG&E’s microgrid solutions or to
begin exploring developing a community microgrid, visit
www.pge.com/cmep. The site includes information on:
- How the program works and frequently asked questions
- Contact information and directions for getting started
- Project eligibility and prioritization
- Financial and enhanced technical support
- Tariff and agreements for the operation of community
microgrids
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric
utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square
miles in Northern and Central California. For more information,
visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
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